Robert Allen Bland

US Patent:

6494044, Dec 17, 2002

Filed:

Nov 20, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/715034

Inventors:

Robert James Bland - Oviedo FL

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

F23R 304

US Classification:

60772, 60759, 60760, 60757

Abstract:

A transition piece assembly for a gas turbine includes a transition duct having one end adapted for connection to a gas turbine combustor and an opposite end adapted for connection to a first turbine stage, and a pair of side panels. The assembly also includes an impingement sleeve surrounding the transition duct and establishing a cooling path therebetween. The impingement sleeve is formed with a plurality of rows of cooling holes therein; and a plurality of flow catcher devices on an external surface of the impingement sleeve, each flow catcher device at least partially surrounding one of the cooling holes.

US Patent:

6672070, Jan 6, 2004

Filed:

Jun 17, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/172016

Inventors:

Robert Bland - Oviedo FL
Charles Ellis - Stuart FL
Peter Tiemann - Witten, DE

Assignee:

Siemens Aktiengesellschaft - Munich

International Classification:

F23R 342

US Classification:

60772, 60 3937, 60751, 60752

Abstract:

In gas turbines, compressed air is supplied via an air duct to combustion chambers and is heated there. Pressure losses in the air duct should be minimized in order to ensure good overall efficiency. This is achieved by the compressed air flowing with approximately constant velocity in the air duct from the compressor to the inlet into the combustion chamber. This is supported by the effective cross section of the air duct being almost constant over this distance.

US Patent:

6698207, Mar 2, 2004

Filed:

Sep 11, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/241335

Inventors:

David James Wiebe - Orlando FL
Michael Herbert Koenig - Oviedo FL
Robert Bland - Oviedo FL

Assignee:

Siemens Westinghouse Power Corporation - Orlando FL

International Classification:

F23R 320

US Classification:

60737, 60740

Abstract:

A flame-holding nozzle for a combustion turbine engine is disclosed. The nozzle includes several elongated sleeves in a substantially-concentric arrangement. The sleeves cooperatively provide distinct passageways for fluids to move through the nozzle. The nozzle includes conduits that advantageously direct fluids to designated regions of the nozzle, allowing fuel and cooling fluid to move within the nozzle without becoming commingled. Portions of the nozzle sleeves are also strategically arranged to transmit fluids in a manner that provides substantially-uniform thermal expansion, thereby eliminating the need for sliding joints or bellows arrangements.

US Patent:

6786047, Sep 7, 2004

Filed:

Sep 17, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/245768

Inventors:

Robert Bland - Oviedo FL
Anil Gulati - Winter Springs FL
John Battaglioli - Glenville NY

Assignee:

Siemens Westinghouse Power Corporation - Orlando FL

International Classification:

F02C 100

US Classification:

60737, 60740, 60748, 239433

Abstract:

A pre-mixing burner ( ) for a gas turbine engine having improved resistance to flashback. Fuel ( ) is supplied to a pre-mixing chamber ( ) of the burner from a plurality of fuel outlet openings ( ) formed in fuel pegs ( ) extending into the flow of air ( ) passing through the chamber. The fuel outlet openings are formed to direct the fuel in a downstream direction at an angle (A) relative to the direction of the flow of air past the respective fuel peg. This angle imparts a downstream velocity vector (V ) for increasing the net velocity of the air and a normal velocity vector (V ) for directing the fuel away from the wake ( ) formed downstream of the fuel peg. Alternate ones of the fuel outlet openings along a single fuel peg may be formed at respective positive (A) and negative (B) angles with respect to a plane ( ) extending along the wake in order to minimize the size of the wake. The propensity of the burner to support upstream flame propagation and flashback is thus reduced by increasing the net air velocity, by minimizing the amount of fuel entrained in the wake, and by minimizing the size of the wake.

US Patent:

7080514, Jul 25, 2006

Filed:

Aug 15, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/644563

Inventors:

Robert Bland - Oviedo FL, US
William Ryan - Oviedo FL, US

Assignee:

Siemens Power Generation,Inc. - Orlando FL

International Classification:

F02C 7/24

US Classification:

60725, 181213, 181220

Abstract:

Aspects of the invention relate to resonator assemblies for use in non-uniform flow environments. The resonator assemblies include one or more features, such as a box or a scoop, for substantially equalizing the pressure on the resonator. In the box configuration, a box is attached on top of the resonator. The box has a top plate with a plurality of openings and at least one side wall extending from the entire periphery of the top plate. A plenum is defined between the box and the resonator plate. In the scoop configuration, a scoop is attached to the top of the resonator such that the scoop substantially overhangs the resonator. The scoop includes at least one side wall extending substantially perpendicularly therefrom, except for one side without a side wall so as to provide an opening into a space defined between the scoop and the resonator.

US Patent:

7080515, Jul 25, 2006

Filed:

Sep 19, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/667263

Inventors:

Samer P. Wasif - Oviedo FL, US
Udo Schmitz - Muelheim, DE
Robert Bland - Oviedo FL, US
Karsten Jordan - Essen, DE
John Carl Glessner - Oviedo FL, US
J. Scott Markovitz - Sanford FL, US
Bernd Prade - Muelheim, DE
David Kargetta - New Smyrna Beach FL, US
Stephen Ramier - Oviedo FL, US
Stefan Dahlk - Kuerten-Bechen, DE

Assignee:

Siemens Westinghouse Power Corporation - Orlando FL

International Classification:

F02C 3/00
F23R 3/04
F23R 3/14

US Classification:

60737, 60748, 60752, 60755, 60760

Abstract:

A gas turbine engine () includes a cylindrical basket () having an axis () and a single main burner assembly () disposed within the basket. A burner insert () is disposed in an annular space between the burner assembly and the basket. The insert includes a face perpendicular to the axis of the basket. A plurality of passageways () are formed in the basket, positioned proximate to and downstream of the burner insert for allowing passage of a portion of an oxidizer flow () into a combustion chamber (). A fluid flow path (), defined between a combustion chamber liner portion () of the basket and a casing () spaced radially outward from the combustion liner portion, discharges a fluid into a flow reversal region () proximate an inlet () of the burner assembly. A fuel outlet () is disposed in the flow reversal region.

US Patent:

7096671, Aug 29, 2006

Filed:

Oct 14, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/686458

Inventors:

Robert Bland - Oviedo FL, US
Ramarao V. Bandaru - Oviedo FL, US
John Battaglioli - Scotia NY, US

Assignee:

Siemens Westinghouse Power Corporation - Orlando FL

International Classification:

F02C 7/22
F02C 7/26

US Classification:

60777, 60723, 60 39822, 60748

Abstract:

Aspects according to the invention relate to a catalytic combustor system for a turbine engine and an associated method. Catalytic combustors are used in connection with turbine engines because they can minimize the formation of oxides of nitrogen during combustion. Despite this emissions advantage, catalytic combustion systems can increase the level of CO in the turbine exhaust. According to aspects of the invention, vortex formation devices includes vortex generators, swirlers and mixers can be placed downstream of each catalytic module surrounding the pilot nozzle so as to form one or more vortices in the otherwise substantially laminar flow exiting the modules. The vortices can create a suction so that a portion of the flow exiting the pilot nozzles is mixed with the flow exiting the catalyst modules. The introduction of the higher temperature pilot flow can accelerate the catalytic reaction time, promoting burnout of the CO formed during combustion.

US Patent:

7237389, Jul 3, 2007

Filed:

Nov 18, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/992185

Inventors:

William R. Ryan - Oviedo FL, US
Robert J. Bland - Oviedo FL, US

Assignee:

Siemens Power Generation, Inc. - Orlando FL

International Classification:

F02C 7/20
F02C 3/00
F23R 3/00

US Classification:

60800, 60753

Abstract:

Aspects of the invention relate to a system for attaching a ceramic liner to a non-ceramic combustor head-end component while accommodating different rates of thermal expansion of these components. One end of the liner can be received within a slot formed by the combustor head-end component. The liner can be held in place by a plurality of pins with each pin passing through a pair of aligned openings in the liner and the head-end component. The end of the liner can be spaced from each of the walls of the slot so as to form a series of gaps in fluid communication. The gaps and the pins can accommodate differential thermal expansion between the liner and combustor head-end component. If desired, at least some of the gaps can be tightly controlled so as to regulate air leakage around the end of the liner.